Smelly feet in my house

[TheGoodOnesAreAllGone]

Not really aibu but didn't know where else to post!
We met our DS (10) new best friend for the first time yesterday and she came over for an hour or so. Lovely girl, very polite but as soon as she took her shoes off the smell was unbearable. I'm pretty sure it's her shoes that the smell is coming from but has obviously made her socks and feet smell too. We had to put the shoes outside and open windows as the whole house stank.
Any advice on how to deal with this?
I really don't want to upset or embarrass her but I don't think we can cope with the smell every time she comes over, particularly as the carpets will end up stinking too. She is here again today so likely to be a regular occurrence which is absolutely fine. Do I say nothing and hope it's resolved once her feet grow and she has a new pair of shoes? Although that could be months away!
I haven't met her parents and don't have their contact info so not able to bring it up with them.

I’d febreze them when she’s not looking!

Are they trainers? Can you chuck them in the wash?

My DD's best friend's house is a 'slipper house'. You could become one too whilst she's there- they all wear slippers inside and have spare pairs for guests. You can get (cheap, thin for the summer) pairs on amazon. And spray some odor-eaters spray in the shoes when she isn't looking.

This is a good idea op. Get a “ visitor pair” that only she uses. You will of course all have to put yours on too!

The problem is that if you put them outside yesterday are you sure she hasn’t noticed that you think her feet stink? If so maybe just be honest and ask her to wash them on arrival and keep putting the shoes outside.

I should've said, we did try this but it hasn't worked sadly. The febreeze has sort of mingled with it and created some sort of hybrid stench

The thought crossed my mind but but they'd take hours to dry and not sure how I'd explain why I washed them. Might need to accidentally spill something on them so they have to go in the wash!

@TheGoodOnesAreAllGone how about Odour Eater spray, it’s made for smelly shoes.

Hybrid stench 🤣🤣

Forgot the link Spray

I wondered about slippers but they would end up smelling too so we'd be stuck with the smell every day!

I quickly put the shoes back inside when I heard them coming downstairs so I don't think she knows. Today I've put them in the back garden along with DS shoes so it doesn't look odd (hopefully)
I really really don't want to embarrass her or make her feel self conscious so trying very hard to be discreet

Worth a try, I'll order some!

I'd whisk them off saying 'oh no poor you, you've stepped in dogshit, people are so selfish not picking it up, I'll just chuck them in the wash.' and then tell the mum/dad the same.

@TheGoodOnesAreAllGone if you get thin ones, they'll wash and dry very quickly so you can just pop them in the wash after she's gone home. Like these Snoozies! Travel Skinnies Animal Designs Super Soft Womens Slippers with Non-Slip Sole - Ladies sizes from 3-7: Amazon.co.uk: Fashion

I think the best solution is to pretend you accidentally spilled something on them and put them in the wash.
Write a note to her mum explaining this and send her home with the note.
The only issue might be how to dry the shoes on time for her to walk home in.

Or if it comes to that maybe accidentally destroy them and just get her a replacement 🤷🏻‍♀️ “ I was just carrying a flaming torch out to light the barbecue when whoosh! They must have been highly flammable .. “

DH does want to burn them and I am struggling to disagree 🤣

Either that or a visiting hungry dog would probably make off with them pretty quickly - especially if you stuffed a bit of roast chicken in them.

The options are endless if you’re prepared to fork out for a new pair. 🤣

Is she then walking around the house with stinky feet and socks? I don't think I'd be able to cope with that. I'd have to tell her.

@TheGoodOnesAreAllGone she's 10 and you've not met the parents?
Any idea who they even are?
I cant imagine letting my child go around smelling so bad. I would try and meet them and see what they are like.
Is it just her feet that stink or does her hair look greasy -is she unkempt? This would worry me - such a young child smelling so bad as you describe.

I have stinky trainer issues with all of DD DP past and present. I’ve used Febreze (doesn’t work) and stuck them under a box
I used to know when her Ex was round due to the smell of trainers. Her DPs have always been sporty

DS trainers have never had this pungent smell but he’s not sporty but does walk in them for long distances daily

it seems to be the Nike 95 that smell the most for some reason

I’m now wondering if they got really wet maybe in the rain which has contributed to the smell

its definitely not them not showering because they shower daily if not twice a day.

Gosh I think this is a teenage girl thing. I struggled with it and speaking to a lot of my friends they also had the same issue. Probably hormonal. It was embarrassing enough without anyone commenting so it’s kind of you to try and be discreet! I used odour eater spray and insoles myself- I wonder if she’s aware.

Hi. Is it the trainers that stink? I had this with my son (6) when I hot his school shoes that were trainers style. None of his other shoes ever smell but these got wet and immediately had this revolting smell that I couldn't get rid of no matter what I did, I had to replace them in the end. So yes, destroying this poor girls trainers by accident is the only way

I’ve had stinky feet my whole life to be honest, I mean really bad. I have tried absolutely everything, I wash and shower regularly and wash my shoes but nothing helps. I feel for her (and you!). I think some people just are naturally smelly feet people!

Get a shoe specific odour spray, suggest that everyone changes into indoor slipper socks that will help stop the smell getting on your carpet and can wash afterwards. Set up a lot of outdoor play activities, paddling pool might help with the smell of her feet? Or outdoor play with paint whilst she’s wearing her shoes and then use that as an excuse to wash them if paint gets on them